Facility Construction

NCCHC’s standards focus on the recommended requirements for the proper management of a correctional health services delivery system; we do not provide guidance on facility construction. However, there are a number of standards that you may wish to consider.

For example, the standard on infirmary care (G-03) requires that patients be within sight or sound of qualified health care professionals at all times. Patient proximity to the nursing station, call lights, etc., would come into play here. Another relevant standard addresses privacy of care (A-09), which includes the privacy of health care encounters and discussion of patient information. Privacy during clinical encounters might be a key factor to consider in designing clinic areas. The standard on clinic space, equipment and supplies (D-03) addresses the need for sufficient and suitable space and items. Another essential that comes to mind is standard G-05 on suicide prevention; the monitoring of potentially and actively suicidal inmates could be facilitated by efficient design of their housing. It may be helpful for you to familiarize yourself with theStandards for Health Services as the construction plan progresses.
— From CorrectCare Volume 26, Issue 3, Summer 2012